When preparing for any type of facial plastic surgery, from a facelift to a rhinoplasty, it pays to ask a number of questions first. Asking questions is just part of doing your due diligence and can help you find the best surgeon for you. Before your procedure, there are a few people you should quiz: yourself, your surgeon and your friends or family. It’s in your best interest to get honest answers from those around you before you decide to go forward.

How Many Procedures Have You Performed?

While some doctors will offer plastic surgery procedures, that doesn’t necessarily mean they are qualified to perform them or that they have the right amount of training or experience needed to perform the surgery well. One of your first questions to your surgeon should be to ask how many of the specific surgery he or she has performed. If you are thinking about getting a facelift, you want a doctor who’s performed hundreds, if not thousands, of facelifts.

On top of that, you want to make sure the surgeon is still performing the surgery on a regular basis. Surgical techniques have advanced considerably in recent years. You might not be happy with the results if you work with a surgeon who is still using an outdated facelift technique.

What Do You  Hope to Get Out of the Surgery?

This next question is for you — what is it you want to get from the surgery? Asking yourself this question can help you make sure you have your expectations in check. For example, if you want rhinoplasty, ask yourself why. Is it because you want a smaller nose or are you hoping that the surgery will create a new and improved you, making your life better on all counts?

You might want to discuss your reasons for surgery with your surgeon. He or she can help you see if your expectations are in line with what the surgery can actually deliver.

Is Surgery the Best Option?

As it turns out, surgery might not be your only option. In some cases, it might not even be the best option. If your big concern is age spots, for example, surgery won’t help, but a non-surgical treatment, such as laser skin resurfacing or a chemical peel might.

When deciding whether surgery is the right pick, it helps to weigh the pros and cons of it over another option. For example, injections can help reduce wrinkles and don’t have the downtime that surgery requires. They also cost a lot less per treatment than surgery. But, the drawbacks are that they only last for a few months, or at most, for a year. They also can’t help with all signs of aging. For example, Botox won’t help if you have loose skin.

How Will You Pay for the Surgery?

Another big thing to ask yourself is how you’ll cover the cost of the procedure. Insurance doesn’t cover elective procedures, so you’ll most likely be on your own when it comes to paying. Financing the procedure might be an option. For example, you might be able to apply for a personal loan or pay with your credit card. It’s important to understand the costs involved with financing and to come up with a plan for paying off the loan.

Do You Understand the Risks Involved?

There is some degree of risk with a surgical procedure, even when performed by a board certified qualified surgeon. Your surgeon will go over the possible risks and complications involved with your chosen procedure during your consultation. It’s a good idea to ask what the risks can mean for you as a patient and what the chances of them occurring are.

Can You Give Me a Ride?

You’ll want to find a friend or relative to give you a lift to and from the surgery center, as you won’t be in any shape to drive after most procedures. It can be hard to ask for help, but it’s a must when you’re thinking of surgery. Ideally, your friend or family member will do more than just drive you home and drop you off. Ask him or her to stick around for a day or so. You will be somewhat out of it, so you’ll most likely want help at home. Even if you think you’ll feel great, it’s really nice to have someone around to bring you a glass of water when needed or just to keep you company.

Think of the weeks or months leading up to your surgery as a fact-finding mission. You want to learn as much as you can about the procedure and about the person who will perform it. Dr. Kyle Choe, a facial plastic surgeon in Virginia Beach, encourages you to ask any questions you have about a specific surgery or about what to expect from it. To schedule a consultation with Dr. Choe, call 757.389.5850 today.